HSE staff industrial action averted

Potential industrial action by thousands of health service staff appears to have been averted after the HSE agreed to re-open a job evaluation scheme from September 1.

Unions insist that job evaluation is an established tool which allows the knowledge, skill, and responsibilities associated with individual jobs — rather than grades or staff categories — to be assessed and appropriately rewarded.

While a job evaluation does not guarantee an upgrading, many health staff believe their roles have grown considerably as they have taken on more work and responsibility over the years.